Park West Physiotherapy & Sport Injury Clinic

The Olympics are an incredible demonstration of amazing human abilities; strength, speed, agility, discipline, and spirit. Physiotherapists play an integral role in helping athletes reach and maintain optimal movement in training and in competition. Supporting them in their daily training environment to manage everything from minor aches and pains to more limiting injuries.

During competitions like the Olympics, physiotherapists help athletes execute their best performance by aiding in pre-event preparation, and responding in the moment to injury or dysfunction. An understanding of human movement, the individual athlete, their specific sport, and their training, can allow an athlete to continue performing and to realize their dream at the Olympics even when things don’t go as planned.

Shelly Malcom Beazley says “working with Canoe Kayak Canada for the past 20 years has been truly fulfilling, continually bringing new challenges, and lessons . It has been my privilege to support these incredible athletes and humans as they push their body, hearts, and minds to prepare for the Paris 2024 Olympics. Traveling to Paris to support them in reaching their Olympic dreams is the icing on the cake.”

The Nova Scotia Physiotherapy Association is very proud of your hard work Shelly and wishes you and all the Canadian Athletes an amazing Olympic experience!

Photo ID: Post showing a photo of an athlete in kayak and Shelly coaching from the dock and another photo with Shelly in Olympic uniform.

Starting in early Spring, all qualified physiotherapists in Nova Scotia (including those working in private practice), will be able to refer patients for x-rays.

www.nshealth.ca/news-and-notices/physiotherapists-across-nova-scotia-will-soon-be-able-request-x-rays

“This announcement will optimize the scope of practice for Nova Scotia physiotherapists who work in private practice and as a result, improve timely access for patients needing general radiography,” says Monica MacDonald, President of the Nova Scotia Physiotherapy Association. “It will save patients from unnecessary additional appointments to get a requisition if an x-ray is deemed necessary. We are excited to better support our patients and help them efficiently navigate the healthcare system.”

It is encouraging to see reductions in system barriers that will expedite diagnosis and treatment, in turn leading to improved outcomes for patients.

Physiotherapists working to their full scope of practice are able to help alleviate the strain on our healthcare system.

Happy New Year!!!

Physiotherapy can help Nova Scotians maintain and improve their physical wellbeing and manage and prevent injuries as we age. Tailored exercises promote healthy aging by enhancing mobility, strength and overall well being, address age related challenges and promote flexibility and independence!

To find a physiotherapist near you, visit www.physiotherapy.ca/find-a-physio

For more information about physiotherapy in Nova Scotia visit https://www.physiotherapyns.ca/

It’s coming up to that dreaded time of year again - shoveling season! Before we get too much snow here in Nova Scotia, let’s talk about shoveling safety tips to help prevent injury. Shoveling can be great exercise, but we want to ensure that it is done in a safe way.

1. Warm up - you're less likely to injure muscles and joints when they're warmed up.
2. Take it slow - pace yourself. Being safe is more important than being fast. Consider taking a break after 20-30 minutes of shoveling.
3. Break it up - consider shoveling more often but for shorter periods of time. This will mean that the snow doesn’t build up as much and you can avoid moving large amounts of snow at once.
4. Protect your back - lift with your knees, not your back. If possible, avoid lifting altogether and push the snow instead.
5. Choose your shovel wisely - an ergonomically designed shovel can decrease the amount of bending you need to do and a lighter shovel will decrease the amount of weight needing to be lifted.
6. Avoid repetitive twisting motions - try to push the snow in straight lines instead.
7. Have your phone handy - keep your cell phone in your pocket and call 911 if you are experiencing an emergency.
8. See a physiotherapist for specific advice or to help if you do get injured.

To find physiotherapist near you, visit www.physiotherapy.ca/find-a-physio

For more information about physiotherapy in Nova Scotia visit https://www.physiotherapyns.ca/

Nova Scotia Health has launched a new initiative called the Early Supported Stroke Discharge Team, operating from the Bedford Neurocommons. Comprising 2 physiotherapists, 2 occupational therapists, 3 rehabilitation assistants, a dietitian, a recreation therapist, a social worker, a speech-language pathologist, and a communications disorder technician, along with a program coordinator, the team aims to provide intensive stroke rehabilitation in patients' homes.

Clients, referred from acute care and rehabilitation centers post-acute stroke, may receive six weeks of intensive rehab with a minimum of 2 hours of therapy 5 days per week at home, helping to alleviate bed pressures in acute care.

Physiotherapists conduct multidisciplinary intake assessments, collaborating with referring physiotherapists, and develop treatment plans. Rehabilitation assistants then implement daily home programs focusing on strength, balance, cardiovascular fitness, and functional training prescribed by occupational therapists and physiotherapists.

Program information provided by Kirsten Balcom, Physiotherapist

For more information about physiotherapy in Nova Scotia visit https://www.physiotherapyns.ca/
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To find a local physiotherapist near you visit http://www.physiotherapyns.ca/find-a-physio
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We are excited to announce that Gary Vardy will be joining the health care team at Park West Physiotherapy & Sport Injury Clinic. Gary is an accomplished physiotherapist who brings a wealth of clinical experience and expertise . He will be working out of our Bedford location(84 Hogan Court).

Neck stiffness is uncomfortable and distracting and may become painful if not resolved. Tension in the muscles around the neck is likely caused by holding one position (looking straight ahead, chin in mid position) like when looking at a computer screen all day, driving a car or watching a long movie. Even when the neck is in this “neutral” position, stiffness will occur because we aren’t meant to stay there for long periods. There are so many muscles, nerves, and joints in the neck that need fresh blood and oxygen to stay healthy and the only way to get that is through movement. It is like if you hold your arm up for a high five it isn't a bad thing, but if you held it there for 20 minutes the shoulder would certainly not feel good! The neck is no different.

Physiotherapists see a lot of sore necks, and one of the best pieces of advice they give is to stay moving for optimal health; for less pain or stiffness in the neck, make sure to move your head up, down, left and right, as far as comfortable (don’t go into pain) for 45 seconds every 20 minutes. You may need to remind yourself for the first couple days with an alarm on your phone or watch. Or make new patterns in your day like move a bit during every TV commercial, after every email sent, at every red light. Quality of movement is key. Do it well, but often.

For more information on how to help your neck be less stiff or painful, visit a physiotherapist who is trained in how to help you resolve neck issues.
For more information about physiotherapy in Nova Scotia visit https://www.physiotherapyns.ca/

To find a local physiotherapist near you visit http://www.physiotherapyns.ca/find-a-physio

We are now 1 full year in our 'new' location--84 Hogan Court, Bedford.
Thanks to all of who have chosen Park West Physiotherapy & Sport Injury Clinic for their rehab needs.

Happy Easter!!!

It is with great sadness that we have learned of the passing of Carol Kennedy, the CPA’s 2021 Enid Graham Memorial Lecture recipient.

Carol will be remembered by colleagues across the profession for her outstanding leadership and years of dedication to furthering the field of manual therapy nationally and internationally through her work to develop standards, courses, and graduate programs and her mentorship of hundreds of physical therapists.

We offer our sincerest condolences to Carol’s family and loved ones and to the generations of students and colleagues whose lives she touched over the course of her extraordinary career.

To learn more about Carol’s legacy, please visit our website. http://ow.ly/SqFs50Nqhej

Happy St. Patricks day!

Good luck to all the athletes and coaches participating in the Canada Games in PEI.

We are settling in to our new location, 84 Hogan Court, just off the bihi at the Larry Uteck exit. (directly across from Atlantic Superstore)

Although Nova Scotia is moving into phase 5, we will still require all patients, therapists and support staff to continue the use of face masks while in either of our clinics. This is done for the safety of all.

Hey again, Massage and Osteo are back starting this Monday.

Hey Everyone,
We are open for physiotherapy services, unfortunately massage and osteopathy are unavailable for the the next 4 weeks.